Cowboys' Micah Parsons: 'Everyone is locked in' after 40-0 win vs. Giants
After ending the 2022 season as a Top 3 defense overall and the No. 1 defense in pressure rate, it was difficult to envision how the Dallas Cowboys could reach yet another level. On Sunday night, they just showed us. They pummeled Daniel Jones and the New York Giants en route to a 40-0 win […]
After ending the 2022 season as a Top 3 defense overall and the No. 1 defense in pressure rate, it was difficult to envision how the Dallas Cowboys could reach yet another level.
On Sunday night, they just showed us. They pummeled Daniel Jones and the New York Giants en route to a 40-0 win fueled by seven sacks and 12 quarterback hits. There was no slowing down Dan Quinn's unit led by Micah Parsons, who consistently drew double teams as he opened up opportunities for his teammates.
In fact, the Cowboys were so dominant that per Next Gen Stats, they generated the fourth-highest pressure rate (62%) in an NFL game since 2019 as eight defenders generated multiple pressures.
"I think that's who we are," Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters after the game. "I clearly feel we've taken another step. You could see that in training camp. I would say you look at the way teams are going to try to play us. You look at their first series. They’re going to try to pound the ball and challenge our run defense over and over again and try to soften up the pass rush."
Indeed, the Giants ran one pass play in their first 10 offensive plays. An early lead prompted by special teams forced them to turn to Daniel Jones and the passing game and that's where the game got out of hand. The Cowboys' pass rushers pinned their ears back and consistently punished the rival quarterback.
It was an exceptional performance. How exceptional? Consider the words of Micah Parsons, who was asked if this showing fit what he meant when earlier in the year he talked about the all-time great defenses like the Ray Lewis' Ravens, the Tampa Bay defenses, or the Seahawks' Legion of Boom defenses.
"I believe (we played like one of those defenses tonight), yes," Parsons told reporters. "With the turnovers and the relentlessness and the effort by all eleven, even the guys that came into the game in the fourth quarter and helped finish the shutout. All across the board, I think everyone is locked in and committed to this team."
When given the chance, the Cowboys will present no mercy to opposing teams, even when it's the fourth quarter and the game is over as Parsons explained. They'll drag them into deep waters like they did Daniel Jones, instead. They're looking for greatness.
That was the thing about Sunday: It wasn't just Micah doing what he does best. It was every other player – starters and backups – showing up down after down and making plays. Consider this number from last night's recap: Seven different Cowboys hit Jones with five getting a sack, another six recorded a tackle for loss, and five had pass deflections.
No matter how good his offensive line is, I don't think any quarterback that's facing the Cowboys this season is excited about the idea.
Cowboys utterly dominate Daniel Jones, Giants in Week 1
Straight-up beating.
Featured image via Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
